A Sacramento company that once was among the nation's fastest-growing ethanol producers says it could run out of cash within a month. Pacific Ethanol Inc. said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it might not be able to continue past April 30 without renegotiating its debts or finding new sources of cash. The company said a bankruptcy filing was possible.

A Sacramento company that once was among the nation's fastest-growing ethanol producers says it could run out of cash within a month. Pacific Ethanol Inc. said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it might not be able to continue past April 30 without renegotiating its debts or finding new sources of cash. The company said a bankruptcy filing was possible.

Frozen capital markets are putting the chill on a fast-growing California solar company, a sign that the economic downturn is being felt even in the state's thriving renewable-energy sector. Hayward-based OptiSolar Inc. confirmed Monday that it dismissed nearly half its 600-member workforce last week, cutting 185 jobs at its Hayward facility and 105 at a plant in Sacramento.

Through two albums, Bruce Hornsby & the Range have established a sound that's attractive, distinctive but ultimately thin-blooded. There is no denying the craftsmanship in the playing and the intelligence in the lyrics, but the band is held back by its politesse. Hornsby's graceful pianistics and wistful singing made for pleasant listening on his 1986 No. 1 hit, "The Way It Is," and on the current single, "Look Out Any Window."

In an award that gives two Southern California utilities a foothold in Mexico's expanding energy market, a partnership including Pacific Enterprises of Los Angeles and Enova Corp. of San Diego has won rights to develop Mexico's first privately financed and operated natural gas distribution system, to be located in Mexicali.

Anticipating a lower sale price for its oil and gas exploration and production subsidiary, Pacific Enterprises said Tuesday that it took a huge $156-million after-tax charge for the second quarter. As a result, the company lost $118 million, or $1.63 a share, for the quarter ended June 30. That contrasts with earnings of $40 million, or 50 cents a share, for the comparable 1991 quarter. Revenue was off 6% to $652 million, from $697 million.

Frozen capital markets are putting the chill on a fast-growing California solar company, a sign that the economic downturn is being felt even in the state's thriving renewable-energy sector. Hayward-based OptiSolar Inc. confirmed Monday that it dismissed nearly half its 600-member workforce last week, cutting 185 jobs at its Hayward facility and 105 at a plant in Sacramento.

A Pacific Enterprises and Enova Corp. joint venture said it has teamed up with an Atlantic Energy Inc. unit to finance and build a $7-million energy system at DreamWorks SKG's animation offices in Glendale, now under construction. Energy Pacific, formed in March when Pacific Enterprises and Enova combined their unregulated energy management services businesses, and Atlantic Thermal Systems started a new venture called Atlantic/Pacific.

In an award that gives two Southern California utilities a foothold in Mexico's expanding energy market, a partnership including Pacific Enterprises of Los Angeles and Enova Corp. of San Diego has won rights to develop Mexico's first privately financed and operated natural gas distribution system, to be located in Mexicali.

Anticipating a lower sale price for its oil and gas exploration and production subsidiary, Pacific Enterprises said Tuesday that it took a huge $156-million after-tax charge for the second quarter. As a result, the company lost $118 million, or $1.63 a share, for the quarter ended June 30. That contrasts with earnings of $40 million, or 50 cents a share, for the comparable 1991 quarter. Revenue was off 6% to $652 million, from $697 million.

Through two albums, Bruce Hornsby & the Range have established a sound that's attractive, distinctive but ultimately thin-blooded. There is no denying the craftsmanship in the playing and the intelligence in the lyrics, but the band is held back by its politesse. Hornsby's graceful pianistics and wistful singing made for pleasant listening on his 1986 No. 1 hit, "The Way It Is," and on the current single, "Look Out Any Window."

Rep. Brad Sherman's efforts to obtain a separate ZIP Code for Oak Park are appreciated. Comparing our cross-county problem to other requests for ZIP Codes is ludicrous. We recently had an earthquake safety valve installed on our gas meter. The valve was sold and installed by Energy Pacific, a gas company affiliate. The cost of the valve was $117.50 (plus labor), and this is an important safety device. To determine the sales tax, we were asked our ZIP Code (91301). They charged 8.25% tax, even though we explained that we were in Ventura County.